Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has taken custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, a young woman whose disappearance in 2023 and subsequent recovery in Abuja triggered a prolonged legal and public controversy involving allegations of abduction, religious conversion, sexual exploitation, and questions over state authority.
The handover took place late at the headquarters of the Department of State Services in Abuja, where the Director General, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, formally transferred Walida into the care of the Jigawa State government. Senior officials from both the federal security service and the Jigawa State administration were present, alongside representatives of religious bodies, civil society organisations and women’s advocacy groups.
Governor Namadi stated that the central issue remains the allegation that Walida was abducted from Hadejia Local Government Area and that the legal process would determine responsibility. He emphasised that she is “a daughter of Jigawa State” and assured that her safety and psychological recovery would be prioritised while court proceedings unfold. He clarified that her placement under state custody does not automatically mean an immediate return to Jigawa, confirming she will remain in Abuja temporarily under government supervision.
Walida’s parents were notably absent during the late-night handover, which concluded around 10:40 p.m. Their absence has drawn public attention given the prolonged effort by family members to secure her return following her disappearance more than two years ago.
According to accounts that emerged in recent months, Walida reportedly went missing in 2023 after being allegedly taken by a woman identified as Mariam. It is alleged that she was sexually exploited before the woman fled. Walida later surfaced in Abuja, where she resided with a DSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi. In November 2025, she gave birth to a baby girl. The circumstances surrounding her movement to Abuja and the nature of her relationship with the operative are now central to the ongoing legal dispute.
The case gained national prominence after Weekend Trust published an exclusive interview with Walida on February 21, 2026, in which she recounted traumatic experiences during her absence. Public reaction intensified, with advocacy groups questioning why she remained in DSS custody after her recovery in January 2026.
Her father reportedly received a phone call in December 2025 from Onyewuenyi informing him that Walida was with him. Family attempts to retrieve her directly were unsuccessful. An uncle subsequently filed a petition at DSS headquarters, and the family sought judicial intervention in a Jigawa court. That court ordered her release to her parents, but the DSS filed a counter-motion, arguing that investigations were ongoing and that her continued custody was necessary to preserve law and order.
The dispute has unfolded against a sensitive backdrop of religious and social tension. Allegations circulated that Walida had converted to Christianity during her time away, a claim that fuelled debate and drew religious organisations into the discussion. The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs sent representatives to observe the handover, citing concerns that mishandling of the matter could inflame sectarian sentiment.
Earlier this week, a coalition including the Abuja chapter of Muslim Rights Concern, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, and the Muslim Students’ Organisation of Nigeria convened a press conference urging authorities to relocate Walida to a neutral setting. Coalition spokesperson Ustaz Yunus Salahudeen argued that the issue transcends religious identity and instead concerns constitutional order, justice, and fundamental human rights. He disclosed that Walida’s father, believing his daughter had died, performed funeral rites during her disappearance.
Director General Ajayi defended the DSS decision to retain custody after her recovery, stating that the agency acted to ensure her safety while investigations proceeded. He said multiple stakeholders were engaged, including the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the International Federation of Women Lawyers. He confirmed that the Nigerian Medical Association had been consulted to assess Walida’s mental health status. Ajayi also disclosed that Onyewuenyi remains in DSS custody and would face disciplinary and legal consequences if found culpable under service regulations or criminal law.
Ajayi referenced his previous service during the Ese Oruru abduction controversy in Bayelsa State, noting how emotionally charged narratives can escalate into wider social unrest if not carefully managed. He stressed that the agency’s actions were grounded in maintaining public order while protecting the rights of all parties.
Governor Namadi underscored that both Walida and her infant daughter will remain under the protective supervision of the Jigawa State government pending judicial determination of the outstanding issues, including her age at the time of disappearance and the legality of her custody arrangements. He reiterated that the dispute would ultimately be resolved through the courts rather than public speculation.
The case now sits at the intersection of criminal investigation, child protection, religious sensitivity and constitutional law. Legal experts suggest forthcoming hearings will clarify jurisdictional questions between state authority and federal security oversight, as well as determine whether prior court directives were properly executed.
For Walida and her family, the immediate focus shifts to stability and recovery after more than two years of uncertainty. For Nigeria’s institutions, the matter presents a test of transparency, due process and the capacity to manage highly emotive cases without deepening societal fault lines.
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